Ruth Bernice Smith Holsinger, 89 DENTON, Md. - Ruth Bernice Smith Holsinger, formerly Dobson, died Friday, July 11, 2008, at Homestead Manor, Denton, an assisted-living facility where she had been living for the past several years. She was 89. Born on Oct. 2, 1918, she was the daughter of the late Charles H. and Jeanette Brown Smith of Federalsburg. Mrs. Holsinger graduated in 1939 from Washington College in Chestertown, where she was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. After graduation, she worked in Baltimore as a social worker and playground supervisor. Even though she was planning to marry someone else at the time, Emory Dobson, a former suitor also of Federalsburg, learned of it and traveled to Baltimore to dissuade her. The two eloped and were married Dec. 5, 1940. Mrs. Holsinger worked as a long-term substitute teacher in Denton before entering a career with the Department of Social Services as a foster care caseworker in Caroline County. She was a formidable presence if the need arose and was fiercely loyal to her family. At the same time, she also served as a 4-H leader, a Cub Scout den mother, Sunday school teacher, and organizer of "sock-hops" for local youth featuring the Baltimore TV personality Buddy Deane. Mrs. Holsinger was also a member of the St. Luke's United Methodist Church of Denton, the Caroline County Library Board, and the Women's Club of Denton. Her first husband, C. Emory Dobson, died Oct. 22, 1980. Her second husband, Francis L. Holsinger, died Sept. 30, 2004. Mrs. Holsinger was especially proud of and extremely close to her brother, the Hon. Marvin H. Smith, 91, of Easton, a former judge on the Maryland Court of Appeals. In addition to her brother, she is survived by her children, Marsha D. Poole of Somerset, Va., Stewart S. Dobson of Ocean City, John C. Dobson of Ocean City; stepdaughter, Mary Linda Bleinberger of Towson; stepson, Mark Holsinger of Ocean Pines; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Moore Funeral Home, 12 South Second St., Denton, where friends may call one hour prior. The interment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery, Federalsburg. Instead of flowers, memorials may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, 1505 Emerson Ave., Salisbury, MD 21801.